Conspiracy Theories: Secrecy and Power in American Culture (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: classical conspiracy narrative, popular eschatology, conspiracy community, The Clinton Chronicles, John Doe, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"Just because overarching conspiracy theories are wrong does not mean they are not on to something," opines Fenster in this commendably level-headed analysis of the grip that conspiracy theories maintain on contemporary America. He does not bother sifting for truth in the The X-Files, the Clinton Chronicles or JFK, but he does pay close attention to those who believe and promulgate conspiracy theoriesAwhat he calls the "conspiracy community." Even if every conspiracy theory is patently false (Fenster does not marshal evidence either way), he argues that mainstream culture's affinity for conspiracy theory is an important phenomenon itself. The "conspiracy" tag can be used to delegitimize others' opinions, as when the allegations that the CIA helped bring crack into East L.A. were written off as part of the African-American community's supposed susceptibility to conspiracy. And conspiracy theory is too often simply the cover story for racists and anti-Semites. But Fenster also notes that conspiracy theory serves a useful purpose as a balm to the politically alienated segments of society, and he optimistically interprets the popular pursuit of uncovering the hidden mechanics of power as evidence of a latent populism waiting to harnessed. By neither dismissing conspiracy theorists as paranoid kooks nor being seduced by their yarns, Fenster constructs a strong case that even while we do not believe, we should nonetheless listen.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description

JFK, Karl Marx, the Pope, Aristotle Onassis, Queen Elizabeth II, Howard Hughes, Fox Mulder, Bill Clinton-all have been linked to vastly complicated global (or even galactic) intrigues. In this enlightening tour of conspiracy theories, Mark Fenster guides readers through this shadowy world and analyzes its complex role in American culture and politics.

Fenster argues that conspiracy theories are a form of popular political interpretation and contends that understanding how they circulate through mass culture helps us better understand our society as a whole. To that end, he discusses Richard Hofstadter's The Paranoid Style in American Politics, the militia movement, The X-Files, popular Christian apocalyptic thought, and such artifacts of suspicion as The Turner Diaries, the Illuminatus! trilogy, and the novels of Richard Condon.

Fenster analyzes the "conspiracy community" of radio shows, magazine and book publishers, Internet resources, and role-playing games that promote these theories. In this world, the very denial of a conspiracy's existence becomes proof that it exists, and the truth is always "out there." He believes conspiracy theory has become a thrill for a bored subculture, one characterized by its members' reinterpretation of "accepted" history, their deep cynicism about contemporary politics, and their longing for a utopian future.

Fenster's progressive critique of conspiracy theories both recognizes the secrecy and inequities of power in contemporary politics and economics and works toward effective political engagement. Probing conspiracy theory's tendencies toward scapegoating, racism, and fascism, as well as Hofstadter's centrist acceptance of a postwar American "consensus," he advocates what conspiracy theory wants but cannot articulate: a more inclusive, engaging political culture.

Mark Fenster received his Ph.D. in communication from the University of Illinois and his law degree from Yale University. He currently lives in Denver.

Excerpt:

"Ultimately, I want to propose that the Utopian 'plot' to be uncovered is not composed of the exclusivity and secrets of conspiracy, but of the open-ended political struggle for equality, solidarity, and a transparent, participatory democracy that conspiracy theory might assume but can hardly imagine and cannot attain." --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Univ Of Minnesota Press; 2nd edition (July 29, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816654948
• ISBN-13: 978-0816654949
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #229,582 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The truth is out there..., May 18, 2000

By	daibhidh "daibhidh" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Conspiracy Theories: Secrecy and Power in American Culture (Hardcover)

I recall a quote from Robert Anton Wilson who said, "Anyone in the United States who isn't paranoid must be crazy." I always thought that was an amusing quote, and it should've shown up in this book, probably! Fenster explores the prevalence of conspiracy theory in American culture in this very academic book. While his writing style is good, I warn you that this book seems aimed at academics, and not your garden-variety conspiracy buffs.

He begins with exploring Richard Hofstadter's work on the paranoid style of American politics, and leaps into studying the militia movement, later focusing on JFK, the X-Files, and other forms of "conspiracy as entertainment" and also examines millennial Christian groups and apocalyptic predictions, etc. Fenster is rigorous in his exploration of conspiracy theories-as he explains in the beginning, he is not detailing the theories so much as examining what they represent, both culturally and individually. In this, he does an excellent job, particularly regarding the militias.

He seeks to get past the old notion of conspiracy theory as pathology to seeing it as a legitimate, if extreme and disempowering expression of popular dissatisfaction with the status quo. This is an important observation: that conspiracy theory, by embracing the idea of all-powerful individual villainy (a secret group behind it all), instead of structural problems (capitalism, American democracy) people can actually affect and change, conspiracy theory saps the strength from people by making them paranoid bystanders to their own lives. But he's clear to point out how the structure of the American political system creates this line of thought, albeit unintentionally-the majority of Americans are marginalized in this society. The tonic for this would seem to be action, rather than taking refuge in conspiracy theory.

Overall, this book is worth your time, but don't read it as a titillating account of conspiracies or you will be disappointed. If you're curious about what makes these things tick, then this book is for you.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just another conspiracy book., November 28, 1999

By	Michael J Woznicki "Michael J Woznicki" (Holland, MA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Conspiracy Theories: Secrecy and Power in American Culture (Hardcover)

....What makes this book special? Whatmakes this book a must read?

The answers are simple, this book has details. This book has facts. This book has information that is hard to find anywhere else. Above all this book isn't conjecture. Fenster's ability to bring to life the conspiracy and what it means to society is nothing short of remarkable.

From the very beginning, we find that author's attention to detail almost incredible. Fenster has taken what society has reduced to nothing more than tabloid trash and revealed secrets that will make you scared and judging from the writing you should be.

Fenster covers Militia groups, JFK, the Millennium, Bill Clinton and other and does it very well. I am certainly glad to have had the chance to read this remarkable book. I would hope the author is in the process of a second edition. Once again - excellent job!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Academic Examination of Conspiracy Theories., March 19, 2009

By	New Age of Barbarism "zosimos" (EVROPA.) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

_Conspiracy Theories: Secrecy and Power in American Culture_, first published in 1999 and revised and updated in 2008 by University of Minnesota Press, by law professor Mark Fenster is an account of the role of conspiracy theories in American culture from the perspective of an academic. While Fenster ultimately claims that conspiracy theories are futile efforts, his account is far more sympathetic than many of the academic accounts of them. This book examines conspiracy theories as an articulation of populism (a rhetorical style that pits the people against the elite) and that call for a totally transparent form of government. Fenster considers various forms the conspiracy narrative may take on and examines various conspiracy theories and academic explanations for their role in popular culture. The book is heavily footnoted and contains much academic jargon that may serve as a detraction for some readers; however, I feel it is a worthwhile read for what it has to say even though I may not agree completely with Fenster's conclusions.

In the Preface, the author lays out his own personal introduction to conspiracy theories and then explains the structure of this book. This is followed by an Introduction entitled "We're All Conspiracy Theorists Now" which explains what is meant by a conspiracy theory, postulating that a sinister and secret group controls world events, and showing how conspiracy theories have become widespread in modern American culture. The author considers cases such as the "Dark Alliance" and popular works of fiction such as _The Da Vinci Code_ and shows how conspiracy theories have become commonplace. The author then lays out his structure for the book and shows how conspiracy theories can be interpreted within the framework of a populist mode of discourse. Part I is entitled "Conspiracy as Politics". The first chapter is entitled "Theorizing Conspiracy Politics: The Problem of the "Paranoid Style"" and explains how various academics have approached the subject of conspiracy theory. The author considers first of all the explanations of Richard Hofstadter who maintained that a "paranoid style" ran through American culture and opposed what he considered to be "extremism". Hofstadter considered McCarthyism and the rise of the Goldwater movement to be instances of "extremism" marked by conspiracy. However, as the author shows, Hofstadter's arguments reflect a Mandarin view of American politics and a reflection of support for the status quo and the mainstream. The author also considers various progressive critiques of conspiracy theory, such as those coming from Noam Chomsky (whose own work borders on conspiracy theory), Chip Berlet, and various other individuals associated with such groups as the SPLC and the ADL. Many of these individuals seem to focus their energies excessively on small movements (such as Berlet's ridiculous over-emphasis on the LaRouche movement) and express excessive concerns that such movements are not progressive enough. The author then considers the problem of populism. The second chapter is entitled "When the Senator Met the Commander: From Pathology to Populism" and discusses the role of the militia movements (as well as the hysteria over a "militia threat" that grew in the 1990s) and the meeting of various militia members with Senator Arlen Spector. The author shows how the militia movement reflects a populist, decentralized, Constitutionalist right and argues that in their meeting with Spector they largely got the better of him. The author considers the importance of conspiracy for the militia members and the role of populism in pitting the people against the elite. Part II is entitled "Conspiracy as Cultural Practice". The third chapter is entitled "Finding the Plot: Conspiracy Theory as Interpretation" and considers the interpretative structure of conspiracy theories by examining the cases of various conspiracy theories that developed out of the presidency of Bill Clinton. The author considers conspiracy theory as desire and the role of the conspiracy narrative in which a future never comes. The fourth chapter is entitled "Uncovering the Plot: Conspiracy Theory as Narrative" and considers the conspiracy theory as narrative in an effort to uncover a secret plot by examining various conspiracy theories surrounding the death of JFK as well as the role of conspiracy theory in films and shows such as the movies _JFK_ and _Conspiracy Theory_ and the television series _The X-Files_. The fifth chapter is entitled "Plotting the Rush: Conspiracy, Community, and Play" which argues that one obtains a rush of excitement in pursuing a conspiracy theory and that this has led to a mergence of conspiracy and play. The author considers such examples as the books _Illuminatus!_ by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson, _Apocalypse Culture_ edited by Adam Parfrey, and the role-playing game GURPS Illuminati (ironically the office of Stephen Jackson creator of GURPS was raided by federal agents for allegedly promoting illegal activities), and the role of the conspiracy researcher Danny Casolaro and his discovery of the "Octopus" secret government and his mysterious death. Part III is entitled "Conspiracy Communities". The sixth chapter is entitled "The Prophetic Plot" and considers the role of end-times prophecy and millenarianism among certain sects of fundamentalist Protestant Christians. This chapter mentions such individuals as Hal Lindsey, Pat Robertson, and the authors of the _Left Behind_ series of books as well as the prominent role of belief in the Rapture in their apocalyptic scenarios. In particular, these groups place a particular emphasis on the state of Israel in their conspiracy narratives of apocalypse. The seventh chapter is entitled "A Failure of Imagination: Competing Narratives of 9/11 Truth" and discusses the role of various conspiracy theories that have emerged from the events of September 11, 2001 and the role of the 9/11 Truth Movement. This chapter discusses individuals such as Jim Marrs, David Ray Griffin, Webster Griffin Tarpley, and others who have been active in promoting a conspiracy theory account of the events of September 11. The author considers the issue of holes in the official account and the role of the 9/11 Commission and their findings. Conspiracy theorists believe the 9/11 Commission has a vested interest in the state and therefore cannot be trusted. The author also considers how the 9/11 Truth Movement emerged with calls for further investigation of 9/11 events and for investigation of the conspiracy theories regarding the role of the U.S. government in 9/11. The author ends by considering the 9/11 documentary film put together by university students _Loose Change_ and shows how this film effectively articulates a conspiracy narrative. The author ultimately finds such conspiracy theories unconvincing but does note that the government was responsible for a profound failure to prevent and act on the events of September 11. This book ends with an Afterword entitled "Conspiracy Theory, Cultural Studies, and the Trouble with Populism". The author ends with an examination of conspiracy theories on both the extreme right (noting for example the role of the book _The Turner Diaries_ on Timothy McVeigh) and the extreme left (noting the role of conspiracy theory in certain African-American communities regarding AIDS as a government plot). Ultimately the author concludes that conspiracy theories offer a voice to the powerless but that they effectively nullify any political action that the powerless may take. The author shows how populism may take on various forms independent of political orientation of right or left and the fundamental role that conspiracy theory has come to play as an expression of populism.

This book offers an interesting academic discussion of the role of conspiracy theory within modern American culture. The author claims that conspiracy theory is an articulation of populism, a form of rhetoric that pits the people against the elite. Fortunately, unlike many of the books written by leftist academics on this subject, the author is at least willing to take conspiracy theory seriously and remains somewhat sympathetic even though he ultimately will deny the efficacy of conspiracy theory. As such I believe this book is worth reading for that reason alone, if you can manage to sludge through some rather abstruse academic jargon.